PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice SM Attique Shah on Thursday heard three cases about the poor condition of the Indus Highway and roads in Chitral , seeking reports from the officials concerned on the next hearing.
A two-member bench comprising the chief justice and Justice Ijaz Khan heard the case.Additional Attorney General (AAG) Sanaullah, Additional Advocate General Inaam Yousafzai for the provincial government, petitioner’s counsel Amjad Hasan Tanoli, National Highway Authority (NHA) counsel Sikandar Rashid, and the General Manager of Indus Highway appeared before the court.
The chief justice asked the NHA counsel to update the court on progress on the Indus Highway.The NHA counsel informed the bench that 85 percent of the work had been completed. However, he said accidents were occurring due to the absence of traffic personnel on the highway, while unregulated traffic was also hindering construction.
When asked about the absence of the NHA chairman, the counsel replied that the post was vacant and no appointment had been made.The chief justice noted that more than 274 people had lost their lives in accidents on the Indus Highway over the past two years. “These people have already suffered terrorism for decades. When their lives and property are not protected, how can this situation continue?” he remarked.
The NHA counsel said the authority had requested Rs6 billion and that Rs5 billion would be released in January, which would help complete the remaining work.However, the chief justice pointed out that the NHA had Rs127 billion available and had previously assured the court that the project would be completed on an emergency basis.
The counsel argued that recent floods had changed priorities, forcing funds to be diverted for emergency response.The chief justice responded that regardless of circumstances, the court had directed the authorities to prioritise this project over all others. “This is an important project that has remained incomplete for several decades,” he said.
The NHA counsel said work was ongoing but certain areas were facing complications. The court directed all relevant federal secretaries to hold a meeting with the NHA counsel to find a solution and ensure the release of funds.
Regarding security arrangements, the Additional Advocate General informed the court that Kohat Commissioner Muttasim Billah Shah had been appointed as the focal person by the high court and had submitted a report stating that more than 80 traffic personnel were deployed at 16 key points.
The NHA counsel contested this, stating he had visited the site last week and found no police presence. The AAG maintained that the report was submitted under oath and was accurate.The court adjourned the hearing until December 11 and directed the AAG to submit a detailed progress report at the next hearing
Hearing a case pertaining to the poor condition of the roads in Chitral the chief justice ordered the relevant officials to submit the required information within 14 days.In the case concerning the construction of the Booni-Bozand Road in Chitral, the chief engineer (North) informed the court that the 28-kilometre project was initiated in 2007, restarted in 2019, and had seen the transfer of 17 officers during this period.
He said he took charge in 2024 and had raised the issue with the Planning Ministry. The project is expected to be completed by June 2026. The official said local concerns were valid and that the federal government had been approached for additional funds.
The petitioner’s counsel, Waqar Ahmad advocate, argued that the road had not been built for 17 years and questioned how it would now be completed. The chief engineer replied that neither the petitioners nor the department had gone anywhere. “We will see this through,” he said.
The chief justice ordered that work on the road be expedited and that a progress report be submitted within 14 days. He also directed the Additional Attorney General to take up the issue of fund releases with the Planning Commission and the finance secretary. The hearing was adjourned until December 11.
Hearing another case about the slow progress and poor condition of the Mastuj-Broghil Road, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the route, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, had historically been used for trade with Central Asia but remained in a deplorable state.
The chief justice asked the chief engineer (North) who was responsible for submitting the PC-I and PC-II.The engineer replied that the PC-I had been prepared, with an estimated cost of Rs16 billion. The 153-kilometre-long road is expected to be completed by May 2026.The court directed the engineer to submit videos and reports on progress within 14 days. The case was adjourned until December 11.
